Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

About the position

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer (Water/Wastewater)
Lead complex water infrastructure projects across the UK and South Africa in a high-growth engineering environment.
Cape Town-based | Salary not disclosed

About Us
We are a multidisciplinary engineering and design team working at the forefront of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Our focus spans the entire project lifecycle - from feasibility and concept through to detailed design and construction support. With strong growth and new framework awards, we are expanding our Cape Town-based design function to collaborate closely with UK teams and deliver innovative, compliant solutions.

The Role: Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
This is a senior engineering position leading mechanical design elements across major water, wastewater, and flood defence projects. You will guide technical delivery, oversee multi-discipline integration, and support project success from concept to commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret and challenge project specifications and client documentation
• Develop mechanical system designs including equipment specs, datasheets, calculations, and drawings
• Lead interface coordination with multidisciplinary teams across locations
• Perform condition surveys and support site teams during installation and commissioning
• Conduct technical reviews of supplier/subcontractor inputs
• Manage design effort against budget, schedule, and quality targets
• Supervise junior engineers and ensure adherence to standards and QA processes
• Promote safety, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout project delivery
• Present engineering solutions confidently in stakeholder environments

About You

• ECSA-registered (Pr Eng or Pr Tech) with a BTech or BSc in Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum 12 years of experience in mechanical design for water/wastewater infrastructure
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic systems, sludge rheology, and system dynamics
• Skilled in CAD design, hydraulic calculations, and equipment selection
• Familiar with UK water industry standards and international safety regulations
• Excellent communicator with strong leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Able to manage multiple complex projects in a collaborative environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and committed to ongoing professional development

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm (SAST), based in Cape Town with regular virtual collaboration with UK teams.

Desired Skills:

• ECSA
• Mechanical Engineering
• System Designs
• Interface Coordination
• Condition Surveys
• Technical Reviews
• Mechanical Design

Desired Work Experience:

• More than 10 years

Desired Qualification Level & Accreditations:

• Degree
• Engineering Council of South Africa